PRACTICE AREAS

HIGHLIGHTS

Acted for Jimmy Savile whistleblower in 2017 who sued the BBC for £1m. Shortlisted for employment law silk of the year 2016 and 2015 Chambers and Partners

Overview

Recognised as a leading employment and discrimination law specialist by his clients, his peers, the law directories and training organisations. His clients appreciate his willingness to work as part of a team, his persuasiveness, clarity, forensic skills, his pragmatism and commercial acumen.

Employment, discrimination and human rights: Paul has for many years been recognised as a leading employment and discrimination law specialist by his clients, his peers, the law directories and training organisations.

In his advisory work Paul combines an analytical approach with pragmatism and commercial acumen. Clients appreciate his willingness to work as part of a team, and his persuasiveness, clarity and forensic skills in courts and tribunals.

He has worked for top 10 UK law firms, trade unions, public bodies, the EHRC and in-house counsel of financial and other institutions, as well as globally known rock and pop legends.

Paul has recent experience in many sectors - media, financial, insurance, banking, healthcare, local authority, charitable, legal, hospitality, sporting and education to name but a few.

His work in the past few years in the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, and the employment tribunal has been in some of Europe's largest ever equal pay cases, including for Birmingham City Council and for Asda; in the unfair dismissal litigation known as "Trojan horse"; and in some of the UK's leading discrimination cases, including advising in Lokhova v Sberbank: link to BBC article.

Clients have recently instructed Paul to help resolve problems involving direct and indirect discrimination, contract disputes, restrictive covenants, the national minimum wage, corporate structures, the working time regulations, whistleblowing, and collective redundancies.

Paul was leading counsel to the Equality and Human Rights Commission's investigation into the Metropolitan Police Service. The EHRC's report of its investigation was published on 8 September 2016: link to EHRC report

Commercial: Paul's work includes partnership, professional negligence and general contractual disputes, including LCIA and ad hoc arbitrations. In 2017 he acted for a Jimmy Savile whistleblower who sued the BBC for £1m: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3074223/jimmy-savile-whistleblower-sues-the-bbc-for-1m-after-corporation-betrayed-her/. In 2010 he appeared in the Qatar Financial Centre Civil and Commercial Court, Doha, in insolvency proceedings, on behalf of the former chief executive of a bank.

Public and Regulatory: Paul has presented disciplinary charges in conduct committee hearings on behalf of the British Psychological Society, including in its case against Colin Stagg arising out of the murder of Rachel Nickell; has been a sometime legal advisor to the General Teaching Council; and has advised in various professional disciplinary matters.

Information Law: Paul has advised individuals and public bodies on disclosure obligations under legislation such as the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Other work: He has acted for Puff Daddy in a passing off action over his use of the name “Diddy”; and for the Independent Newspaper, its editor and the journalist in a defamation claim brought against them by Lord Ashcroft. Paul is also instructed as counsel for parties in mediations.

Mediation: Since training as a mediator in 2012 Paul has successfully mediated a number of contract/employment disputes, using facilitative mediation. His approach is realistic and courteous.

Awards

BA Oxon, First in History and Modern Languages, exhibition to Balliol College; City University Diploma in Law, distinction; Middle Temple Harmsworth scholarship.

References

Chambers and Partners:

"A skilful advocate and tactician," who is "very can-do and innovative." "An assured and authoritative silk who is a real team player" (2016);

“Frequently instructed in heavyweight discrimination claims" and "brilliant on his feet" (2012);

“understated and elegant style is combined with an edge of steel. He excels at handling clients and his persuasive skills ensure he always gets great results” (2011);

“impresses clients and peers with his excellent cross-examination skills”, “a purveyor of pragmatic and commercial advice”, "a man who has come a long way in a short time due to his manifest skills" (2010);

“astute, authoritative advocate and an excellent client handler who communicates complex problems in a format that is easy to understand,” “particularly recommended for his expertise in hedge fund bonus disputes” (2009);

Publications and training

Paul is sought after as an expert speaker, and has given many talks over the years, including to EU judges on discrimination at the EU legal academy in Trier, Germany; in France; in the Netherlands; and for many firms and organisations; and he has been an expert commentator on TV, radio and in the press.

Paul helps advocates hone their skills by teaching advocacy training for Middle Temple and also the Employment Law Bar Association, and he is a mentor for the Bar Council's Bar in the Community Mentoring Scheme.